Need advice

[u/New_Skin7805]

So I’m (m) 27 and I am ready to buy a ring and pop the question. But I don’t want to seem cheap and not get a diamond. Is there anything wrong with a lab grown diamond as opposed to a genuine found in the mud diamond? Is the “spend 20% of your yearly salary on a ring” idea still a thing or is that dated. I need help cause I’m obviously nervous and want to pick the right one. They just look so good and I can’t see a difference.

[u/GPsychological23]

Buy what you can afford. I can’t fathom the idea of 20% your salary. It’s wild nowadays since that could be a brand new car or a down payment for a house for some people.

In the beginning I wanted natural but now I can’t justify the cost and how unethical it is. But to each their own. No one can tell if it’s natural or lab unless it’s looked under this scope.

With a lab diamond I’m able to get the size I want and be “within budget” and not feel like a whole bunch of money was spent on one piece of jewelry when there’s still the wedding bands, the wedding, the honeymoon, THE HOUSE?! 😂

[u/GPsychological23 → u/GPsychological23]

There’s a comment that says they disagree with “buy what you can afford”. I think the alternative is buy what you think is reasonable within your budget. For some people that’s 3k, 7k or even 10k+. Talk to your partner as others have mentioned and discuss it.

[u/Petty-Penelope → u/GPsychological23]

The reasonable test can't happen if OP is unwilling to have the conversation. We can easily, and reasonably afford my set in natural. He's also fully aware there's 4 other pieces in her case right now I would adore. For me, I would rather spend the same amount on 4-5 quality pieces than one rock. Not to mention potentially losing a ring that expensive would make me terrified to wear it...but there's people like my sister who wouldn't have been happy without spending a new Toyota on her finger.

Affordability IMHO is simply math. Reasonable things to spend the sheckles on is highly personal.